The Nigerian Navy has started the commemoration of its 63rd anniversary celebration, thrilling no fewer than 187 civilians at the sea in Lagos.
The civilians, who thronged the Naval Dockyard embarked on a trip to the high sea which ended late yesterday with the members of the force.
The participating Ship, Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Unity, took the civilians round the Lagos waters and back to the dockyard.
The civilians, who were drawn from different areas, came with their families to celebrate with the Navy on its anniversary.
The Fleet Commander, Western Fleet, Commodore Elkanna Jaiyeola, while speaking with journalists onboard the Unity, said that the trip was in commemoration of the navy’s annual anniversary.
“As part of the navy’s 63rd anniversary celebration, the essence of this sea trip is to take the civilians, who are the stakeholders, to sea so that they could have the experience of what the sailors face onboard.
“No matter the part of the country you came from, the essence is for everybody to felicitate with us,” he said.
The Commanding Officer of the Ship, Capt. Ani Oko, who also spoke to journalists, said that it was a wonderful experience having civilians onboard.
“It’s not everyday we have civilians sailing with us to sea so it is a good feeling.
“We have made good friends today and such relationship would be kept to further cement the civil-military relations we are trying to build.
“We have 187 civilians on borad and it is interesting to know that people want to know what the navy do and also appreciate the kind of work we do while at sea,” he said.
The NNS Unity cast off at the dockyard jetty at 12 noon and before cast off, the Commanding Officer of the vessel had ordered the ship’s crew to ensure the safety of the civilians on board.
MM/GIK/APA